Readout of Secretary Carter's Meeting with Turkish Minister of National Defense Fikri Isik

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met with Turkish Minister of National Defense Fikri Işık for a bilateral meeting at the UN Peacekeeping Defense Ministerial today in London. The secretary affirmed his support for the long-term strategic partnership between the United States and Turkey and vowed the United States would continue to stand side-by-side with Turkey against shared threats. Secretary Carter thanked the minister for Turkey's resolve in the fight against terrorism and Turkey's critical support for the counter-ISIL campaign. The secretary and minister discussed Turkey's recent successes against ISIL in Northern Syria, and Carter assured Işık of the United States' continued support for Turkey's efforts to clear ISIL from its borders. The two also discussed the importance of retaking Raqqa, and the need for local forces to play a central role. Both agreed to maintain frequent communication on the full range of mutual interests.